Inaugural Forum on International Volunteerism

5 July 2008 – Singaporeans looking at venturing overseas for a meaningful cause will find it easier to gather information and resources to carry out their community work. Existing and potential International Volunteerism (IV) practitioners can soon draw on the vast spectrum of experiences and knowledge that will be made available by the newly established International Volunteerism Association (IVA).

Launched by Mr Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth & Sports, and Transport as well as Chairman of the National Youth Council (NYC) and the Youth Expedition Project (YEP) Advisory Panel at the Rendezvous Hotel this morning, IVA is a not-for-profit social enterprise registered with the Singapore Registry of Societies that aims to be a platform for IV practitioners in Singapore to share with each other their experiences, resources and information.

VA will also promote best practices and minimum standards for volunteering overseas.IV practitioners can tap on IVA for training requirements; needs and risk assessment; social community learning; project evaluation service; consultancy services as well as the engagement of overseas partnership. Agencies focused on a specialised audience could even seek IVA’s assistance to help in conceptualising, implementing and evaluating customised programmes for them.

The IVA was initiated by a group of passionate IV practitioners with strong beliefs in their mission and awareness that it is important for good IV practices to pave the way to meet the rapid growth of IV sector in Singapore; as well as to inspire and encourage more IV practitioners.Senior Parliamentary Secretary Mr Teo Ser Luck applauded the establishment of the IVA as a timely initiative by the practitioners. He noted the growing number of Singaporeans who travel overseas to support a cause and also the growth of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in the local IV scene.

The IVA was initiated by a group of passionate IV practitioners with strong beliefs in their mission and awareness that it is important for good IV practices to pave the way to meet the rapid growth of IV sector in Singapore; as well as to inspire and encourage more IV practitioners.Senior Parliamentary Secretary Mr Teo Ser Luck applauded the establishment of the IVA as a timely initiative by the practitioners. He noted the growing number of Singaporeans who travel overseas to support a cause and also the growth of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in the local IV scene.

The formation of IVA is a positive development in line with the National Youth Council’s (NYC) efforts to develop a vibrant, highly connected and self-sustaining youth sector. With practitioners of the Youth Expedition Project (under the portfolio of NYC) forming a segment of the IVA’s network, NYC will work closely with IVA to further develop the IV sector together,” said Mr Teo Ser Luck.“The IVA is a necessary platform for IV practitioners to network locally and internationally. Agencies and IV groups can now tap on the seasoned practitioners’ vast experience for additional support when carrying out quality community service projects and better serve the needy communities overseas.

With this establishment, I hope that the Singapore IV sector will grow to be more responsible and professional when we carry out our community services overseas,” said Dr Chan Yew Wing, Chairman, International Volunteerism Association.

This morning also marked the opening of the inaugural forum on International Volunteerism organised by the IVA and the National Youth Council. For the first time, professionals, stakeholders and practitioners of International Volunteerism and International Service Learning (ISL) came together to discuss the challenges facing international volunteers today. More than 120 practitioners turned up to partake in the networking and sharing session that will make an impact in the international volunteerism sector. Attendees just to name some included seasoned volunteer groups such as Mercy Relief, Raleigh Society, Singapore International Foundation, YMCA of Singapore, Singapore Red Cross Society, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, The Choice Initiative, Youth Executive Committee- People’s Association as well as new start ups such as Books to Read.

Adding a new dimension to the forum were interactive panel discussions where attendees were divided into Youth Organisations, Organisation Heads, NGOs and Community Service Entrepreneurs to address three main issues of Partnership, Project Management and Volunteer Management.

Dr Fatimah Binte Abdul Lateef, Member of Parliament, Marine Parade GRC was the keynote speaker for the forum. An active International Volunteer, Dr Fatimah shared her recent efforts in Myanmar disaster and how Singaporeans could help to play a part during the reconstruction phase. Findings and strategies formulated at the forum will be released at the end of the year by IVA.